Forbidden Feast

Ch. 21: I'm kidnapping you.

All the married couples lurking around the castle twisted the knife in Mathew's chest, but the large crowd also meant Mathew had more than one person to choose from when he needed information. Choosing the path of least resistance, Mathew cornered Knox Lavigne early the next morning out on the patio. Despite being covered by the second floor, fresh snow dusted the edges. The house itself sat on top of a hill, and after a long walk downstairs embedded into the earth, there were Mathew's mother's famous gardens.

Even though nothing could bloom in this cold, what remained inspired fairy tales where little girls could get lost while chasing a white rabbit. Frozen fountains and romantic statues adorned the scene, exchanging longing looks. Mathew could close his eyes and still hear the parties his mother used to throw from the band to the clash of drinks as they cheered.

"Thanks for speaking with me," Mathew told his brother-in -law, pulling himself back into the present.

To achieve total comfort, Knox dressed in thermal pants and a sweatshirt underneath a robe. Out of everyone here who was a prince, Knox actually looked like one, straight out of a children's storybook with his white, blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, and elegant features. Mathew would say his brothers resembled the trolls that kidnapped the princesses.

"I'm happy to help. I can understand cleaning up some unfinished business," Knox said and leaned back in his chair. "Thank you for letting me know you a bit better. Even if it's dark. I like you all the same, Matty." He said, but Mathew had a feeling Knox would like Mathew a little more if he was cured, if Knox didn't have to worry about something else.

"You're family, so..." Mathew watched an uncommonly sweet smile appear on Knox's face. It seemed the King of his own coven enjoyed being a Ventura as well. No wonder Anthony liked him so much. Like Dante, Anthony enjoyed being a Ventura as much as being rich, handsome, and renowned, and yet, they'd give it all up to keep their family.

"I just have a few questions about Beatrix," Mathew explained.

Knox nodded, totally unruffled. "That makes sense. What about her?"

"What was she working on? And if you can tell me, why?"

You're aware of the mutation in my coven. We brought her on to find the cure. Unfortunately, she was also the one who created it. Mixing her magic with blood."

"A lot like our magic," Mathew said, his first thought.

Knox hummed in consideration. Maybe that never occurred to him. "In a way, yes. Any witch can brew up a potion, but it was her expertise in biology, specifically monster biology, that appealed to my coven."

The side door into the living room swung open, and Evie dashed outside in a blur of brown curls and a baby pink coat. "Come on!" She yelled. She must've grown a foot since Mathew saw her last. She needed to stop growing, too. He was going to blink, and she'd be a teenager.

Running right after her, Jace appeared, and Mathew sat up, sucking in a breath. He hadn't prepared to see him and definitely not with that bright and shiny smile. It was a pointed attack on his heart. As he passed, Jace slightly yanked Mathew's ear. Mathew threw his hand over his now burning ear and watched him run down the steps into the garden. Knox was too busy waving and trying to get Evie's attention. She finally waved, and he settled back into his chair.

"He's a nice guy," Knox commented.

"Yes." Mathew sighed. "He's very nice."

"You know, he helped bring the rest of our luggage in and I tried to tip him, but he refused."

Blood rushed to Mathew's face. "Oh, he's not that kind of help."

Knox grimaced. "I hope he didn't feel offended."